Lowe’s expands Charlotte pilot program, makes same-day delivery nationwide now

Lowe’s customers can now get same-day delivery nationwide after a test run in Charlotte.

In March, Lowe’s began a pilot program for same-day delivery for orders through the Lowe’s website and app in its Charlotte market. This expanded to nearly 600 stores by late April, leading up to Wednesday’s announcement that same-day delivery is now available in its 1,700 home improvement stores nationwide.

Orders placed online and on the Lowe’s app will be delivered the same day if placed before 2 p.m., and the next day if placed after 2 p.m.

This comes after the Mooresville-based company established a fulfillment center in west Charlotte last year. The fulfillment center provided same-day delivery to pro customers only. The new service expands on this model by offering same-day delivery to all customers.

Same-day delivery prices start at $15 and vary by order size and weight, according to Lowe’s website. Only items that are in-stock at Lowe’s stores across the country are eligible for the program.

An order will be canceled if the item is out of stock at a particular location. Items can be delivered to homes and job sites.

Not all items are available for same-day delivery including plants, appliances and all-terrain vehicles, according to Lowe’s website.

The roll-out is in partnership with fulfillment solution firm OneRail, headquartered in Orlando, Florida. The company has 12 million drivers in its network, the company stated in the announcement.

Ramping up same-day deliveries

Same-day delivery has been a goal for the company since it announced an 18-month expansion plan in 2020. The plan included 50 additional delivery terminals, seven distribution centers and four e-commerce fulfillment centers nationwide to allow for more same-day and next-day delivery options.

Last year, the retailer partnered with courier Instacart to pilot programs in Charlotte and Boston.

The Lowe’s fulfillment center in west Charlotte was meant to attract professional customers by providing same-day deliveries directly to job sites.

Lowe’s expands Petco partnership

Lowe’s piloted another project in Charlotte last year, partnering with pet supply store, Petco Health + Wellness, to create a store-in-store concept.

Lowe’s announced on Thursday it would expand the Petco store-in-store to 300 other locations by the end of the year.

The expansion will focus on rural communities nationwide. Petco’s store-in-store will include products like food, toys and flea-and-tick solutions.

Once a month, 75 of the 300 stores included in the expansion will feature Petco’s Vetco clinics, which are staffed by licensed veterinarians and offer vaccinations, microchipping and preventative medicine, Lowe’s said.

The project is a part of Lowe’s rural strategy to appeal to those shopping for farm and home needs, Lowe’s said. Other expanded rural products include feed, troughs, utility vehicles and a new Wrangler apparel section in all rural stores and a Carhartt apparel section in select stores.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly described OneRail. The company says it is a fulfillment solution firm.